India to Remain Favorite Aerospace, Defence Destination

India is poised to become a favorite destination for global aerospace and defence sector players with total offset opportunity for the commercial segment in the country set to cross $10 billion mark in 2013. With the government expected to raise the foreign investment limit from 26 percent to 49 percent in the defence sector in 2013, the country is likely to witness the next rush of investments, as per a recent study by Deloitte, a global consultancy firm. According to Deloitte Aerospace and Defence Outlook 2013, while the global defence industry is expected to shrink, the growth in Indian defence sector is on the surge. Read more

Maini Group To Unveil Expansion Plan At Aero India

The Maini Group, a key Indian defence company, has announced that it would be sharing details regarding its expansion plans at the Aero India 2013 to be held at Yelahanka air base in Bangalore from February 6 to 10. The group has acquired industrial land in preparation for its expansion of plant facilities and is concentrating on long-term aerospace and defence strategic plans spanning the next two decades. For this purpose, it is currently in talks with global and domestic aerospace leaders in order to explore the right opportunities, the company said here. The Maini Group has set its eyes on growth in the Indian aerospace industry. Read more

India to Test Pinaka Rocket System

India will soon carry out a series of tests of its indigenous multi-barrel rocket system Pinaka's advanced, upgraded version. The tests are likely to be conducted off Chandipur test range on Odisha coast off the eastern seaboard. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) unit, Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE), will provide logistics support to the Indian Army personnel, who will perform the user-trials that could take place by this weekend, according to sources. The tests are considered to be very important from the rocket systems' development point of view, as it will validate the efficacy of new components and technological advancements in the weapon. Read more

Navy Plans USD 8 Billion Chopper Tender

The Indian Navy is planning to issue a bid for procuring more than 120 multirole choppers which could be world's largest tender expected to be worth around USD eight billion. The navy had recently issued a global request for information in this regard and has plans of acquiring more than 120 Naval Multirole Helicopters (NMRH), navy sources said here. The navy had recently asked global helicopter vendors to provide details about their choppers in this category and is planning to issue a global request for proposal in this regard in near future, they said. The navy is planning to procure these new NMRH for carrying out anti-submarine warfare, Special Forces. Read more

DRDO Scientists Named For India's Highest Civilian Awards

India has named its three key defence scientists for receiving their highest civilian awards this year. President Pranab Mukherjee approved their names to receive the Padma awards as part of the 108 persons chosen for the honour. Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Director General, was chosen for the Padma Bhushan award, which is the second highest civilian award of the country. Saraswat is also the Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister and Secretary to the Department of Defence Research and Development in the Ministry of Defence. Read more

Saab Going To AeroIndia with Large Product Portfolio

Swedish defence major Saab will participate in this year's AeroIndia at Yelahanka air base in Bangalore from February 6 to 10 with a large portfolio of products, apart from a 70-official strong global team being present on the show days at the venue. After having had a major presence in AeroIndia 2011, Saab will present a products covering the land, air, naval and civil security domains at AeroIndia 2013. Saab Chief Executive Officer Hakan Buskhe and the heads of Saab's Business Areas, Head of Market Area Lars Olof Lindrgen and Managing Director for India Niklas Nieminen would be present at the show his year, according to the company. Read more